Outdoor recreation

Camping in the Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh, India

Hot air ballooning

A group of people scuba diving

Outdoor recreation or outdoor activity is leisure pursuits engaged in outside, especially in (but not limited to) natural or semi-natural settings out of town. Examples include adventure racing, backpacking, bicycling, camping, canoeing, caving, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, kayaking, mountaineering, mushing, photography, adventure park, rock climbing, running, sailing, skiing, and surfing. Outdoor recreation may also refer to a team sport game or practice held in an outdoor setting.

The two primary purposes for outdoor recreation are beneficial use and pleasurable appreciation.^[1][2]

Beneficial use is related to the physical and social rewards which goal-directed activities instills in individuals or groups. Some outdoor goal-directed activities are: backpacking, canoeing, canyoning, caving, climbing, hiking, hill walking, hunting, kayaking, and rafting. Arguably broader groupings of goal-directed outdoor activities would include water sports, snow sports, and Horseback riding. Goal-directed outdoor activities are predominately physical, though they may also be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually rewarding. The outdoors as a physical or social setting may meet the needs of physical health, self-sufficiency, risk-taking, the building of social ties (including teambuilding), and the needs of achievement (such as practicing, enhancing and challenging skills, testing stamina and endurance, and seeking adventure or excitement). The outdoors can be an environment in which people "show what they can do".^[2]

Pleasurable appreciation encourages experiences of being "let in on natures show".^[2] Enhancement of inner perceptual and/or spiritual life may be experienced through outdoor activities and outdoor-related activities such as nature study, aesthetic contemplation, meditation, painting, photography, archeological or historical research, and indigenous culture among others. These activities may also be physically rewarding.

Many people in modern civilizations believe that the value of nature is found only in its "utilitarian value" (beneficial use). They would discount the inner perceptual and/or spiritual benefits of the "intrinsic value of nature" that may be experienced during pleasurable appreciation.

Outdoor activities may also be pursued for the purposes of finding peace in nature, enjoying life, and relaxing. They are alternatives to expensive forms of tourism. Outdoor activities are also frequently used as a medium in education and teambuilding.

Types of outdoor recreational activities

Note: For activities that fall under several categories of this table, check out the section on this page titled See Also.

Mountain Activities	Forest Activities	Beach & Sea Activities	Fresh Water Activities	Aero Activities	Desert Activities	Family Activities	Cultural & Historical Activities
Trekking	Wildlife safari	Snorkeling	Angling	Gliding	Camel safari	Amusement park	Indigenous culture
Rock climbing	Camping	Scuba diving	Canoeing	Ballooning	Desert Jeep safari	Safari park	Museum
Mountain biking	Birdwatching	Parasailing	Whitewater rafting				Metal Detecting
Motorbike expedition	Elephant safari	Boat fishing	Water sports				Benchmarking (geolocating)
Skiing	Tree climbing	Windsurfing	Sea Kayaking
Snowboarding	Adventure Park	Water sports
Ice climbing
Canyoning

Trekking

Trekkers in Gorbea park, south of Biscay in Basque Country, Spain

Trekking is all about enjoying a great walking holiday. Treks can be day hikes, overnight or extended hikes. An example of a day trek is hiking during the day and returning at night to a lodge for a hot meal and a comfortable bed. Trekking can be more enjoyable when undertaken while being generally physically fit. Physical preparation for for trekking includes cycling, swimming, jogging and long walks.

Rock climbing

Rock climbing is the sport of scaling rocks, using special equipment. Learn the right way to use your climbing equipment because poor use can prove very risky. Climbing calls for mental and physical strength, flexibility, agility and endurance. To help climbers practise, climbing walls have been erected in indoor and outdoor facilities worldwide. A novice to the sport would need the help of an instructor and a few training classes to learn the ropes.

Mountain biking

Mountain biking is all about steering a mountain cycle over rocky tracks and around boulder-strewn paths. To tackle the trails, the requirements are physical strength, stamina and a strong mountain cycle. Mountain bikes or ATBs (all-terrain bikes) feature a frame and fork that are rugged. Their frames are often built of aluminium so they are lightweight and stiff, making them efficient to ride.

Canyoning

Canyoning is an activity which involves climbing, descending, jumping and trekking through canyons. The sport originates from caving and involves both caving and climbing techniques.

See also

• Recreation
• Hazards of outdoor activities
• Outdoor education
• Outdoor gym
• Risks and benefits of sun exposure

Outdoor recreation in various ecosystems

• Education
• Horseback riding
• Indigenous culture
• Team building
• Water sports
• Winter sports

References

1. ^ Rolston, H III. 1985. Valuing wildlands. Env. Ethics.7 (1): 23-48
2. ^ ^{a b c} Rolston, H III. 1988. Environmental ethics: Duties to and values in the natural world. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press.

External links

• Outdoor Industry Association
• Go Get Adventure activity resource
• Outdoor Activities UK